[Zippy]

I have sweetcorn in tall paper coffee cups and growth is about 4 inches but not very thick in the stems.

Should I be planting these out or can I hope they will beef up a bit before I do?

[gowing238]

im in the same stage as you. i have just moved mine into the codframe to harden off for a few days before they go out into the ground. Im happy my frost risk is know passed> But im still keeping an eye on the forecast!!

[Kristen]

Mine get planted out about 3 weeks after germination. I have read that the bigger they are the more they dislike being transplanted - but I also read of people doing all sorts of transplanting / root disturbance without any apparent distress to the plants.

Apart from severe cold I reckon mine get under way promptly once planted out, i.e. more so than being in pots.

[Kajazy]

Can you bury an inch or so of the stems when you plant them out? Mine are at the same stage too, but the compost inside is lower than the rim of the paper pot, and I think if you don't bury the paper too, it will wick moisture away from the roots of the plant, so I guess I'll need to bury the bottom bit of the stem?

[DD.]

It's a good idea to bury an extra bit of the stem as this will give additional support to the plant.

Always bury all the paper pot, as you say, this will act as a wick.

[Kristen]

I tear the top inch or so off paper off the top of my newspaper pots just before planting. There aren't any roots in that bit, so if the top compost is a bit dry and falls away I don't think it matters.

But "anchoring" the plants is good too, and root develop at the base of the stem to provide just that benefit (and the plants should be earthed up a bit to cover them when they appear)

[potatogrower]

grew mine until they were at least 4 to 6 inches tall then planted out.

[AnneB]

I think you should also factor in the weather.  Mine were growing at such a pace I got them planted out last week after hardening off, but they have taking a real battering from the very high winds this week and now look rather forlorn.  I am trying to rescue the better specimens under a makeshift cloche from plastic bottle tops in the hope that eventually the wind might die down.  I have started some more off to fill the gaps.